The Importance of a Design System: Lessons from Steam UI

Yes, this is the Steam app!

Now, imagine the confusion and difficulty in developing new features or maintaining this mess!

When there isn’t a design system in place, it’s common for teams to rely on existing references. But what happens when the same element appears in three (or more!) different styles for the same purpose? Chaos ensues.

The image below highlights the result of not having a unified design system. Search bars, tab menus, dropdowns, and buttons—each category showcases inconsistencies in appearance, interaction, and purpose. These inconsistencies not only create confusion for developers and designers but also impact user experience, leaving users to navigate through a fragmented interface.

A design system solves this by providing a single source of truth—a library of reusable components, patterns, and standards. It ensures visual and functional consistency across the platform, speeds up development, and makes future updates seamless. For apps like Steam, implementing a design system could prevent issues like these and lay the groundwork for a cohesive, scalable design strategy.

Image Source: Reddit - The Amazing Consistency of Steam's UI